Captain Jens Anker Hougesen passed away, peacefully with his wife and 3 children by his side, on March 2, 2016. Born and raised in Denmark to late parents Peder and Mette (Jensen) Hougesen, he immigrated to Canada after having met his wife, and together they raised their family in Blind River, Ontario. Jens Anker will be forever loved and remembered by his wife Gertrud and their three children. Bjorn (Maria), Betina (Mark), Breean (Dandan). Dear Morfar to Hannah, Darius and Cyrus and dear Farfar to Aviendha. He is also survived by 4 sisters Ester (Evan), Anna (Mogens), Ruth, Ellen (Finn), and 3 brothers Niels Erik (Grethe), Svend Aage (Anne Lis), Johannes (Neel), and brother-in-law Ejvind (Dorit predeceased) and sister Inge predeceased, who all reside in Denmark. Survived by brother and sister-in-laws Bent (Janet), Ruth (predeceased John), Kurt (Cheryl), Bodil, Esther (Pat) and Keld (Helen) who reside in Canada. He is also survived by numerous extended families both in Canada and Denmark. Captain Jens Anker Hougesen had an amazing career spanning over 50 years starting as a young teenager. He completed his certification from Nautical school as 1 of only 11 to graduate out of 23, receiving top award in his class for completing his certification as a navigator with only grade 7 education. He sailed all over the world, the last 30 years being with Algoma Central Corporation on the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence Seaway, the Atlantic Seaboard, the Gulf of Mexico, Venezuela and the Caribbean. He has received numerous recognitions and awards, a few include: April 1996 from the City of St Catherines, he commanded the first upbound vessel through the Welland Canal to signal the commencement of the 1996 Navigation season. September 2006, the Hamilton Police Services and the International Ship Masters Association gave him recognition for the courage and brave efforts in saving the lives of two people in Lake Ontario. He was talented in various trades and was a self-taught violinist. A private service was held March 2, 2016 in Sudbury, Ontario. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Menard Funeral Home, Blind River, Ontario. A private service of interment will be held at Hillside Cemetery at a future date. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and will be missed dearly by his family.

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